An East Renfrewshire mum who ate takeaways every day and whose 'controlling' ex 'didn't let' her go to the gym has transformed - losing seven stone in 18 months.
Sinead McCarthy 'felt disgusting' around the time Scotland was first plunged into lockdown - as she weighed 20 stones. The 31-year-old gorged on chocolate bars every night and was desperate to make a change.
Sinead, from Barrhead, sought help from a personal trainer and has since dropped five dress sizes; from a 22 to a 12. The mum-of-one stuck to eating 1,700 calories a day, started weightlifting in the gym and walked between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day.
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Sinead now weighs less that 13 stone and has found confidence again after enduring a difficult mental struggle.
She hated getting up in the morning because of how she looked and would avoid mirrors. She refused to have her hair done or wear make-up because she didn't see the point - but was envious of her clients who enjoyed self-care treatments.
Sinead said: "The weight piled on gradually for a few years, I didn't really see how bad it was until it was too late. I was having loads of takeaways, at least five a week but sometimes seven, and they were enough for two people.
"My snacking was out of control too, I wouldn't eat normal sized chocolate bars it would have the big family sized ones. It was disgusting."
She added: "I hated what I saw in the mirror so I just avoided looking in them, so then you don't really realise how bad things get. I took no pride in my personal appearance at all.
"I wouldn't get my hair done, I wouldn't wear make-up, I didn't do any self-care - I just thought what's the point. That was really hard given my job.
"I would see what treatments girls were getting and wish it was me, I always felt inferior to everyone else around me."
She added: "I was in an extremely controlling relationship for about four years.
"He controlled what I ate, where I went, what I did - everything, so I wasn't allowed to go to the gym."
Sinead now eats protein packed meals and goes to LIFT Glasgow gym seven days a week because she loves how it makes her feel.
She said: "I started out with a PT at the gym and then I signed up for a coach who wrote a programme for me in the gym and a nutritional plan. I do weightlifting in the gym nearly seven days a week now and make sure to get some cardio done too.
"The first workout I did was horrific, two minutes in I thought I was going to pass out and had to sit down, it was so hard. But I was determined to get the weight off and change my life.
"The gym has become more of a mental thing for me now because it makes me feel so good and sets me up for the day. I don't restrict myself anymore if I want to have a cake I will have one because one cake is not going to ruin all the work I have done.
"It's like a physical and mental weight has been lifted off me now. I wake up glad to be here now, before it was such a struggle getting up every day."
She added: "I lost myself for a few years, all my friends really noticed it and now they will say it's so nice to have the real me back. It's been a complete life transformation for me.
"I feel like I am just starting to live my life now which is incredible. I have a newfound confidence and freedom in my life like never before."
For advice on improving your health fitness levels head to the NHS website.
